🇬🇧 United Kingdom tourist visa for Nigerians 2026
Tourism, visiting family and friends, conferences and business trips. Facts verified against United Kingdom's official pages; see the source at the end.
Yes. Nigerians need a visa before a short visit to United Kingdom. Nigerian citizens need a Standard Visitor visa before any short trip to the UK; the ETA scheme is only for visa-exempt nationals and does not apply.
Quick facts
- Visa
- Standard Visitor visa (6 months)
- Maximum stay
- up to 6 months
- Government fee
- about $181
- Processing time
- 3–8 weeks
- Paid work
- Not allowed
- Business or conference
- Covered
Where Nigerians apply
Nigerian citizens need a Standard Visitor visa before any short trip to the UK; the ETA scheme is only for visa-exempt nationals and does not apply.
Fee and processing time
You apply online on gov.uk up to 3 months before travel, pay £135 (about USD 181), then give fingerprints and a photo at the TLScontact visa application centre in Lagos or Abuja, where your passport is returned the same day; since 25 February 2026 the visa is an eVisa linked to your UKVI account instead of a passport sticker. The published target is a decision within 3 weeks, but Nigerian applications are routinely sent for extra checks, so allow 4 to 8 weeks and do not buy non-refundable tickets.
That is about $181 in US dollars at the time of verification; the official fee is set in local currency.
Travelling for business or a conference?
Host or organiser letter with event, dates and who pays, plus an employer letter confirming you stay employed and paid in Nigeria.
Documents and steps
- Check your passport is valid for the whole tripPassport valid for the entire stay with a blank page; keep old passports showing previous visas and compliant travel.
- Assemble six months of consistent bank statementsSix months of stamped statements with regular credits matching your income; large recent deposits are read as borrowed funds.
- Prove your ties to Nigeria and your reason to returnEmployer leave letter with job, salary and return date, or CAC and tax papers, plus property and family evidence.
- Prepare your itinerary and accommodation evidenceRefundable hotel bookings or a host letter with address, immigration status and proof of residence; flexible flights only.
- If travelling for business or a conference: get an invitation letterHost or organiser letter with event, dates and who pays, plus an employer letter confirming you stay employed and paid in Nigeria.
- Apply online on gov.uk and pay the £135 feeApply online up to 3 months ahead; £135 per person; declare every past refusal or a 10-year deception ban can follow.
- Attend your TLScontact biometrics appointment in Lagos or AbujaFingerprints and photo at TLScontact Lagos or Abuja; passport returned the same day; book weeks ahead in peak season.
- Wait for the decision and set up your UKVI accountDecision by email, target 3 weeks but often longer for Nigeria; the visa is an eVisa linked to your UKVI account.
- At the UK border: respect the 6-month limit and visitor rulesOfficer queue, not eGates; up to 6 months, no UK work or public funds; overstays wreck future applications.
The full checklist with timing, dependencies and personalised due dates is part of the paid plan. Start with the free quiz and pick “Visit” as your purpose.
Planning a trip to United Kingdom?
Answer 6 questions, choose “Visit”, and get a dated checklist for your travel dates — free.
Plan my visitFrequently asked questions
- Do Nigerians need a visa for United Kingdom?
- Yes. Nigerians need a visa before a short visit to United Kingdom. Nigerian citizens need a Standard Visitor visa before any short trip to the UK; the ETA scheme is only for visa-exempt nationals and does not apply.
- How long can Nigerians stay in United Kingdom as a visitor?
- Up to 6 months under the Standard Visitor visa (6 months). Paid work is not allowed on a visitor stay.
- How much does the United Kingdom Standard Visitor visa (6 months) cost for Nigerians?
- You apply online on gov.uk up to 3 months before travel, pay £135 (about USD 181), then give fingerprints and a photo at the TLScontact visa application centre in Lagos or Abuja, where your passport is returned the same day; since 25 February 2026 the visa is an eVisa linked to your UKVI account instead of a passport sticker.
- How long does the United Kingdom Standard Visitor visa (6 months) take for Nigerians?
- The published target is a decision within 3 weeks, but Nigerian applications are routinely sent for extra checks, so allow 4 to 8 weeks and do not buy non-refundable tickets.
- Can Nigerians attend a conference or business meeting in United Kingdom on this visa?
- Host or organiser letter with event, dates and who pays, plus an employer letter confirming you stay employed and paid in Nigeria.
- Can Nigerians work in United Kingdom on a visitor stay?
- No. Visitor entry covers tourism, family visits, business meetings and conferences only. To take a job, study or settle, Nigerians need one of the longer-stay routes compared in our United Kingdom visa guide for Nigerians.
Thinking of staying longer?
A visitor stay never allows paid work. Nigerians who want to work, study or settle in United Kingdom have 2 main routes, compared in the United Kingdom visa guide for Nigerians.
United Kingdom for Nigerians, in depth
Visiting other countries as Nigerians
Visiting United Kingdom from elsewhere
Always confirm entry rules with the official government source. Fees and stay limits change; this guide is general information, not legal advice.